Secret Santa Surprise! and My First Giveaway!

It's a book called The Flavor Thesaurus! It is an absolutely wonderful gift! The book is "a compendium of pairings, recipes and ideas for the creative cook." It discusses 99 different flavors and different pairings that go well with each flavor. For instance, the book names Nutmeg as a flavor, and then gives you 21 foods that are compatible with nutmeg. They range from the traditional, such as apples to the unusual, or not so commonly known fact that nutmeg can be paired with cabbage. Who would have thought? Ok, probably a lot of people, but not me! The book also explains why the two go well together. In the pairing of nutmeg and cabbage, the book tells you that the "nutmeg can have an enlivening effect on dreary greens. Dot cooked cabbage with butter and speckle them, like bare winter trees decked in fairy lights, with freshly grated nutmeg". Is that great writing, or what?

I love to create my own recipes, and sometimes I like to TRY to meander a little outside my comfort zone. This book is a big help in that area. I have already created 2 new recipes based on the info from the book, so I know that it will get a lifetime of use.

Who was my secret santa? It was Bexx fromThe Divas Dishes!! If you haven't stopped by her blog, please find the time to do so. It's a wonderful blog with stories of her crazy life, her career, her love of food, her recipes, and lots of humor! I know you will enjoy it!! Thank you Bexx for a book that I not only love, but am truly using.

Because I loved getting this book for the holidays, I have decided to have my first ever giveaway!!! Yah!!
I am giving away this book:

I own a copy of this appetizer cookbook, and I love it! I am an appetizer lover, and this book has over 450 great appetizer recipes. Also included is a 1 year subscription to Better Homes and Gardens!

To enter:
Leave me a comment, telling me what your favorite appetizer is.
Last day to enter is Sunday, January 22!
Winners will be notified by email. I will contact you via the email address you enter with.
You will have 48 hours to reply.
Sorry, US residents only. You must be 18 or over.

I'm so glad you like the book! I'm dying to know what you have created already.I'm trying to think what my favorite appetizer is, there are so many I love and I tend to throw together without even thinking about it. In summer we do quite a bit of mozzarella, with fresh basil and balsamic. I also love roasting the tomato a bit throwing it on a crostini and putting the cheese on top.I think my personal favorite is just some good crusty bread with some good olive oil and salt and some good cheeses and dried meats. I could just eat this for dinner every night if my waste line and cholesterol could handle it!